A fiercely competitive Group 1 - assessing the main contenders for Saturday’s Sprint Cup at Haydock

Just 15 days after the Nunthorpe Stakes at York, the Betfair Sprint Cup takes centre stage on Saturday and sees a good field of sprinters under the spotlight. Here, we analyse the competitive Group 1 . . .

Inisherin

Form: -16115

Strengths: Having contested races over a mile for his first three career starts, including when finishing sixth in the 2,000 Guineas, Inisherin has adapted well to life over six furlongs. That started with victory in the Sandy Lane Stakes, before the three-year-old backed up that Haydock Group 2 success up with a first Group 1 win in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot. Returning to the same course and distance as his Sandy Lane success will be a big positive and his chance is clear.

Inisherin wins the Commonwealth Cup at Royal AscotCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Weaknesses: When delving into his form, holes can be picked. Five of the six rivals he beat in the Sandy Lane failed to win on their next starts and both Lake Forest and Jasour, the two that chased him home in the Commonwealth Cup, have also lost since. Furthermore, his fifth-placed effort in the July Cup, when receiving weight from his elders, was not what his starting price of 11-8 suggested, so he’ll need to bounce back. Trainer Kevin Ryan is also running at a seven per cent strike rate over the last two weeks (three winners from 41 runners).

Odds: 4-1

Inisherin15:35 Haydock

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Jky: Tom Eaves Tnr: Kevin Ryan

Elite Status

Form: 178-11

Strengths: Representing the other half of Sheikh Mohammed Obaid-owned team alongside Inisherin, Elite Status has improved considerably from two to three. Last year finished on a bad note for the Havana Grey colt thanks to a pair of heavy defeats behind Vandeek in Group 1 company, but he bounced back to make a successful seasonal debut in the Carnarvon Stakes. He followed up with another Newbury win in the Hackwood Stakes, beating Lake Forest and last year’s Sprint Cup winner Regional. He showed a good attitude to win on his last start and has always been held in high regard.

Elite Status wins the Hackwood Stakes at NewburyCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Weaknesses: You would have to worry about stepping into this company for the first time since his two losses at Group 1 level as a juvenile. He deserves to be here, no doubt, but some of these rivals are a step above what he’s faced this season.

Odds: 6-1

Elite Status15:35 Haydock

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Jky: Tnr: K R Burke

Swingalong

Form: 44-822

Strengths: Swingalong has been one of the notable bridesmaids of the sprinting division this season. At Royal Ascot, she was collared in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes by last year’s winner Khaadem and that theme was revisited for the July Cup when Mill Stream just stuck his neck in front to win. The customary 3lb mares’ allowance is in place here and she was a good fourth in this last year, though she did receive weight from her elders as she was a three-year-old at the time. The daughter of Showcasing is in the best form of her career, so she should not be underestimated.

Mill Stream narrowly beats Swingalong (7) in the July CupCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Weaknesses: Swingalong is likely to be positioned towards the front alongside Elite Status and Inisherin, so there’s a chance that they might cause each other to go too quickly too soon.

Odds: 8-1

Swingalong15:35 Haydock

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Jky: Tnr: K R Burke

Jasour

Form: 89-136

Strengths: Clive Cox won this race in 2017 with Harry Angel and Jasour is looking to recapture the Group 1 for the Lambourn-based yard. He kicked off the year by winning the Commonwealth Cup Trial before finishing a good third behind Inisherin in the Commonwealth Cup itself at Royal Ascot, though his last run was below par in the July Cup. That was slightly strange as he impressively won the July Stakes over the same course and distance at the same meeting last year, putting two lengths between himself and Lake Forest. On that form, he would have a strong chance here and Cox has given him a little break since Newmarket.

Jasour streaks clear in the July StakesCredit: Edward Whitaker

Weaknesses: He still has to reverse the form with Inisherin from Royal Ascot, so a career-best effort is needed and he probably prefers better ground.

Odds: 11-1

Jasour15:35 Haydock

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Jky: Tnr: Clive Cox

Bucanero Fuerte

Form: 3113-1

Strengths: Arguably one of the most interesting contenders could be Bucanero Fuerte, Ireland’s best chance at a winner. The son of Wootton Bassett was scheduled to run in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot, but he was ruled out of the race due to signs of travel sickness. He was well found in the market at the time based on his success over Givemethebeatboys, a Group 3 winner, in the Lacken Stakes in May when giving 3lb of weight away. Furthermore, his form of beating Porta Fortuna by four lengths in last year's Phoenix Stakes looks strong as she has won three Group 1 races and finished second in the 1,000 Guineas since. Travelling over to Haydock is a positive tip for the three-year-old, so he is of interest.

Bucanero Fuerte impressively scores in the Phoenix StakesCredit: Patrick McCann

Weaknesses: The break of 111 days since that success over Givemethebeatboys would be a worry as he may just need the run. If so, it might be a case of getting him spot-on for the British Champions Sprint Stakes that he is entered for.

Odds: 14-1

Bucanero Fuerte15:35 Haydock

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Jky: Tnr: Adrian Murray

How about the rest?

Kinross returns to six furlongs after his five-length defeat in the Lennox Stakes at Glorious Goodwood over seven furlongs, but he hasn't looked the force of old this season. Lake Forest has intertwined pieces of form with Elite Status, Inisherin and Jasour, and he was staying on behind the former in the Hackwood Stakes. Montassib looked like a sprinter who deserved a chance at this level when beating Kinross in the Chipchase Stakes in June, but he would be running off a 70-day break. Givemethebeatboys shrugged off his Commonwealth Cup disappointment when justifying market support in a Group 3 at the Curragh last month, while Kind Of Blue has finished behind all the right horses so far this season.

Verdict

It might be worth taking a risk on the potential race fitness of Bucanero Fuerte in this race. His form is arguably the best based on last season and he’s always been held in high regard by connections. The race conditions should work in his favour, so he is the preference. Elite Status won’t be too far away based on his last run.

Bucanero Fuerte15:35 Haydock

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Jky: Tnr: Adrian Murray

Read more:

Last year's winner Regional misses Sprint Cup but Andrew Balding supplements new challenger for Haydock Group 1 

Clifford Lee facing 'hardest decision' of his career as he has choice of two top Sprint Cup contenders 

'Class horse' Inisherin in flying form for Sprint Cup clash after 'bump in the road' at Newmarket 

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